Re: 13 Years of Agoraphobia - Suddenly Moving On
First off, I will say "don't look back!". Looking forward is scary sometimes, but so is looking back, so might as well keep on moving forward. Secondly, i will say expectations are everything. Take one step at a time on your new journey - don't set expectations too high at first, or you will feel like you failed quicker and with much prodding.
I have had "functional" agoraphobia for about 14 years now. I deal with it most days, especially on my drives to and from work. You would think - I have made the drive well over 700 times now, so it would be easier. Some days it is OK, other days not so much.
I am not going to sugar coat it though (expectations, remember), your lack of sort of the basic education is going to make things difficult - probably moreso than lack of experience perhaps. That being said, look at the problems the way I do: What is the problem? OK, now we know what the problem is, let's discover the ways to correct that problem.
Finally, one thing you may want to consider straight off is perhaps volunteering somewhere. They aren't going to require an education really, nor experience. However, you will be able to gain experience and references if you do this. Plus, these types of gigs usually aren't 40 hours a week, full of pressures and responsibilities, etc. and I think that is important at the stage you are in right now. I mean, you have spent 13 years basically housebound, what is a few more months transitioning? Good luck to you!
Mike
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Anxiety is nothing more than imagination used improperly.